I see a lot of Christian posts on Facebook since many of my friends are Christians and I frequent mostly Christian pages. There are plenty of Bible scriptures and uplifting material to encourage Christian believers. Much like my intent with this story, people want to remind others that JESUS loves them, made a way for them to be saved and live a victorious life.
I love to be reminded of those promises from GOD, because every promise in the Bible is mine! I didn’t earn them, certainly don’t deserve them and can’t repay Him for those blessings. They are part of the unmerited favor (grace) of GOD. The greatest example is, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). JESUS died on the cross for me before I was born, because He knew I needed someone to take my sins away. I accepted JESUS as my Lord and Savior and so salvation, as promised, is mine.
Salvation is so wonderful, that I would forever love and serve Him for that alone, but I have access to every promise if I believe. GOD said they belong to me if I have faith, because “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6 KJV).
So these promises are conditional? We know it takes faith to believe and be saved, but it also takes faith and obedience to receive GOD’s blessings. I thought we couldn’t earn these promises? You can’t earn them, but you must submit to GOD’s will. GOD has a plan for your good and you need to find out what that plan is. GOD’s WORD is His will. If you obey His WORD and ask in faith, He is faithful to answer. An example is healing. If you believe GOD’s promises he will heal you, but not if you disobey by drunkenness. He will bless your finances, but you must “Give, and it shall be given unto you…For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38 KJV). Those are also promises.
I see some people claiming GOD’s promises on the internet, but they don’t seem to have accepted JESUS as their Lord and Savior. I’m not looking to judge their salvation, that is between them and GOD, but their actions are cause for concern. Some follow their “Christian” posts with sinful and wicked material, lending their implied support. Maybe they haven’t been delivered from those problems yet, but JESUS said “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15 KJV). Hopefully the Christian messages they share means they are open to following JESUS as their LORD. They will eventually have to choose who they will serve. The Bible says “No man can serve two masters” (Mat 6:24 KJV).
If you are not following JESUS, you are following the “thief” who “cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10 KJV). That means the good promises (blessings) of GOD are not yours, but you get the bad promises (curses). If you don’t accept GOD’s forgiveness, you don’t have the benefits He gives in this life and you will have to pay for your sins for an eternity without end. Those are also promises of GOD and He keeps every one.
Wayne Lance